Poetry is what gets lost in translation-Robert Frost

November 11, 2018

The Kii peninsula that contains Mie and Wakayama prefectures are two places I've passed on visiitng since it requires a special trip south from a westward destination (i.e. Nagoya or Oasaka). On this long November weekend (TWCU cultural festival) I decided to visit Ise, Mie taking a fiend's advice that Koyasan in Wakayama would be better visited in the summer (cool mountain escape) or winter (lovely snow filled landscape).

This is a sculpture outside Iseshi station near where my hotel was. The cannon under a shinto gate is a curious reminder of the Shinto religion that saw the Emperor as a god and led Japan in a militarized war of aggression in the 19302 and 40s.

One of the most impressive features of the grounds for me were the massive tress in the shrine.

Isekadoya brewery is based in the city and has a small branch outside the Outer Shrine.

Isekadoya Comfort Ale & Ise Pilsner with Matsuzaka beef nikuman.

After a 20-30 minute bus ride I arrived at the Inner Shrine (Naiku), entrance is always through torii gates.

Ise shrine's ancient massive trees are said to be "power spots." "Power spots" are places believed to endow visitors with refreshing or healing energy. In Japan, the concept generally centers around feng shui principles and sites where the Earth's energy is said to well up—meaning many power spots are tied to ancient shrines, creation myths and Shugendo mountain worship.

November 10, 2018

I recently learned about the Kanjiro Kawai House in Higashiyama Gojo not far from Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. Kanjior Kawai (1890-1966) was a key potter and artist. It is a nice mixture of modern and traditional elements.

November 09, 2018

This weekend, Friday November 9th to Monday November 12th is a long weekend for me due to the school festival at TWCU. Thus, I decided to visit Ise, Mie, which is one of five prefectures in Japan that I have not visited and has the holiest shrine in Japan. My fiend Ted in Kyoto just happens to be in town, so I decided to stop in Kyoto first and catch up with him. he was busy during the day today so I took the time to visit Daitokuji since it is nearby and had some seasonally opened temples and exhibitions going on.

Shinju-an had an exhibition with modern paintings on the fusama (sliding doors). This temple is commentated after the famously hedonistic priest Ikkyu Sojun.

August 10, 2018

It didn't seem like there was much to see or do in Aomori, Aomori, so I decided to stay in Hirosaki instead. I suppose I could have stayed here instead of Mutsu, but the weather was so bad it hardly mattered. The Aomori Bay Bridge next to the station.

Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse was closed for re-modelling, unfortunate, but makes sense since this is after the Nebuta Matsuri. However, not much to do in Aomori city proper. I guess a half day would be enough.

Some local delicacies-keno jiru (minced meat and vegetable soup), mizuitame (stir fry vegetables-served cold), and hotate to ika menchi (scallops and squid minced and deep fried). I also tried some local nihonshu (sake).

In the Hirosaki station, the region is known for apples. maybe there's still time to try an apple pie. Next stop, Amori, Amori to catch my flight back to Tokyo.

There's a scenic bus drive from Mutsu to Mount Osore. It is said to be over 1000 years old and is considered one of the three sacred sites in Japan (the other two are Mount Koya in Wakayama and Mount Hie in Kyoto-neither of which I have been to yet). The bus driver stopped at this spot on the way to let passengers take photos.

In the parking lot at Osorezan.

Fumaroles expel volcanic gas in the area and give off a distinct sulfur-like smell.

Tempura shrimp rice bowl with fish and vegetable soup and sides of pickles and vegetables.

The ferry I sailed on to get to Aomori on Honshu island.

I had planned to get up early to have a big breakfast at the Morning Market in Hakodate, but set my alarm for 6:50 PM and woke up at 8:30. I had to take a taxi instead of the bus, but still had time for a quick breakfast at the ferry terminal before the 9:30 departure. Egg and rice witha couple of small side dishes and miso soup.

Last view of Hokkaido. I really enjoyed Hakodate, it's a charming little city with lots of history. I easily could have spent another day or two and would like to come back for a visit someday.

August 07, 2018

Upon arrival at the Hakodate Airport I took a bus that dropped me off downtown in front of the JR Hakodate station. Hakodate is charming little port city that has a population of just under 280,000 people that has many western style historical buildings from the Meiji era and a moutnian overlooking a harbor that rivals Nagasaki and Kobe.

I had a breakfast sandwich at the airport, so I wasn't starving when I got to the market, but I thought I ought to sample some fresh seafood. I got the sushi five piece set special and an extra serving of otoro (tuna belly)-it included ikura (salmon roe) and uni(sea urchin) two types I don't usually go for-but hey were so fresh I could appreciate the taste and unique textures for a change.

August 06, 2018

The approach and gate to Narita-san. I had hear it was an impressive temple, but I had no idea that the grounds were so expansive, in fact one of the largest in Japan. The oldest building was built in 1701.

I didn't get drunk, but I did have a couple of happy hour beers.

Unagi (eel) is the local specialty, but I tried to find a place for dinner after a couple of beers and they were closed at six, perhaps because it was a Monday. So I found a nice little soba shop near the station.

I've decided to head north for a few days in order to escape the oppressive heat this year (constantly over 35-95 F). I haven't been to Aomori Prefecture yet, so I thought that would be my destination. I was recommended to go to the other-wordly Moutn Osore which is located on the Oma peninsula, which I saw was accessible from Hakodate on the northern most island Hokkaido. From Oma I will visit the temple then stay the night in Mutsu, Aomori then I will go to the castle town of Hirosaki, Aomori before flying out of Aomori airport on Thursday. I've heard good things about Hakodate, so I decided to start there by flying from Tokyo to Hakodate via the low cost carrier Vanilla Airlines. The flight is early on a Tuesday, so I decided to spend the night near the airport and visit the city that is home the Tokyo International Airport, Narita, Chiba, instead of fighting the crowds during the weekday rush hour commute-I'm on vacation after all. The city of Narita boasts Naritasan, a large temple of note. I'm looking forward to getting out of Tokyo for a few days and seeing some remote parts of Japan.